TAM Overview
Telecommunications of Maryland Executive Director, David Bahr giving an overview of the Maryland Accessible Telecommunications Program.
Telecommunications Access of Maryland (TAM) is a state agency that helps Marylanders who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low-vision, or have speech or physical disabilities get the phone and communication tools they need. TAM believes everyone has the right to communicate easily with family, friends, businesses, and emergency services.
What TAM Provides
- Free Assistive Equipment: Through the Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program, TAM gives out free equipment to eligible residents. This includes amplified phones, big-button phones, captioned phones, hands-free tools, and specialized tablets.
- Maryland Relay Services: Free phone services that let people using specialized equipment easily talk with anyone using a standard telephone. This includes captioned calling, relay operators, and speech-to-speech services.
- Community Support: TAM offers community grants and public training so people know what tools exist and how to use them.
Administered by the Maryland Department of Information Technology, TAM works to make sure no one in Maryland is left out of everyday conversations.